IAF to raise four more squadrons of Su-30 MKI fighter

[ptltejas]

how many Sukhois are right now in the inventory?

 

[Sergi]

16 MKIs/Squ sounds a low number

 

[anant_s]

Even by conservative estimates, final number of MKI should be around 300 when induction program finishes by end of this decade. Now with FGFA expected entry by 2020, IAF would do well to spread the squadrons to the extent possible. This shall help the ground & maintenance crew to hone their skills and get prepared for 4.5 & 5 generations of FA that will comeup in future. As of now MKI is closest to that.
Won't be a bad idea to station a few MKIs in Andaman (don't know if this is actually feasible), with mid air re-fuelers, that would be a mighty projection of power in south Asian Region

 

[Sergi]

Even by conservative estimates, final number of MKI should be around 300 when induction program finishes by end of this decade. Now with FGFA expected entry by 2020, IAF would do well to spread the squadrons to the extent possible. This shall help the ground & maintenance crew to hone their skills and get prepared for 4.5 & 5 generations of FA that will comeup in future. As of now MKI is closest to that.
Won't be a bad idea to station a few MKIs in Andaman (don't know if this is actually feasible), with mid air re-fuelers, that would be a mighty projection of power in south Asian Region

MKIs will be 270 only

 

[Abingdonboy]

16 a/c per sqn. not 21

IMHO it's 18, normal SQDs have 20/21 with trainers.

 

[Paan Singh]

Will we change rest of the su-30's to super sukhoi?

 

[Gessler]

MKIs will be 270 only

Prasun K Sengupta says there'll be total 311 sukhois.



More ! Mmmooooorrreee !!

 

[Archie]

Prasun K Sengupta says there'll be total 311 sukhois.



More ! Mmmooooorrreee !!

That would be the SEAD version

 

[Gessler]

That would be the SEAD version

Specialised SEAD version ? Never heard of it.

 

[Backbencher]

Will we change rest of the su-30's to super sukhoi?

Good question and yes we would be changing them all to super standards .

 

[Sergi]

Prasun K Sengupta says there'll be total 311 sukhois.



More ! Mmmooooorrreee !!

That's a deadly sight

 

[ANPP]

It look like this flight of MKI was specialized for CAS, just look at the weapon system.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Will we change rest of the su-30's to super sukhoi?

IIRC by ~2019

 

[sancho]

16 MKIs/Squ sounds a low number

Why, normal squads had also 16 + 2 Trainers, with multi role fighters and twin seaters not dedicated for trainers only, the number general size will remain the same (MMRCA 1 x squad = 18 fighters), but will include more twin seaters that will be as capable as their single seat counterparts.

That would be the SEAD version

SEAD with dumb bombs? Not really, the MKI will most likely use Kh 31 versions, while Rafale can do it with AASM versions.

Good question and yes we would be changing them all to super standards .

I say yes and that the currently speculated costs are for the 42 fighters + the upgrade of the first at least 90 x MKIs that we have got from Russia. But since the upgrade is still not fixed, we have no official statement on that.

 

[Sergi]

Why, normal squads had also 16 + 2 Trainers, with multi role fighters and twin seaters not dedicated for trainers only, the number general size will remain the same (MMRCA 1 x squad = 18 fighters), but will include more twin seaters that will be as capable as their single seat counterparts.

I was under impression that NORMAL squads are (18+4) 22 no strong. So I was expecting atleast 18 like MMRCA.

Plus I am one of the believers of " quantity is an additional quality ". I like Chinese for that.